Hand operated thread dispensing device



July 9, 1957 N. c. BEVERINO HAND OPERATED THREAD DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 26, 1954- United States Patent Ofilice 2,798,681 Patented-111MB, 1957 HAND OPERATED THREAD DISPENSING DEVICE Naomi C. Beverino, Los Angeles County, Calif.

Application July 26, 1954, Serial No. 445,810

6 Claims. (Cl. 242-1311) The present invention relates generally to a hand operated thread dispensing device and relates more particularly to a thread dispensing device adapted for use in con nection with the tying of fishing flies, or the like, or in other situations requiring the winding of thread about an object and wherein suitable tension must be maintained upon the thread.

Heretofore devices of a similar nature have been adapted for dispensing thread for various purposes. However, most of these devices have been rather large and cumbersome and difficult to handle when used in connection with small items such as fishing flies, or the like. In such instanees, it is necessary that an adjustable tension arrangement be provided for dispensing thread with just the desired tension thereon and in such a manner that a thread guiding or dispensing nozzle may be moved into close proximity to the item being tied or wrapped. Additionally, devices of this character must be simple in design, easy to thread and maintain and extremely smooth in operation in order not to bind or inadvertently break the thread being dispensed therefrom.

Accordingly, it is one important object of the present invention to provide a hand operated thread dispensing device having novel means for effecting constant and uniform tension on the thread being dispensed therefrom.

It is another important object of the present invention to. provide a hand operated thread dispensing device having novel means for supporting a spool supply of thread and for guiding the thread from the spool over a thread tensioning member and out through a suitable nozzle.

It is a further important object of the present invention to provide a hand operated thread dispensing device having a novel nozzle forming a portion thereof and of such a construction as to enable placement of the device in close proximity to an object to be wound.

A still further important object of the present invention is to provide a hand operated thread dispensing device having novel construction features enabling manufacture through use of relatively simple die arrangements and being of such construction as to enable ready and relatively easy assembly thereof, together with smooth operating characteristics thereafter.

Other and further important objects of the present invention will become apparent from the disclosures in the following detailed specification, appended claims and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the present handoperated thread dispensing device being utilized in connection with the tying of a fishing fly or the like;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the present thread dispensing device;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal top elevation view with portions in section;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the various components of the present device and the order of assembly thereof;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing details of a thread tensioning member;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the thread carrying and dispensing assembly removed from the case and showing means for threading the device;

Fig. 7 is a composite perspective view showing the case and rear closure member of the present device; and

Fig. 8 is a side elevational. view of a threading needle that may be used in connection with the threading of the present dispensing device.

Referring to the drawing wherein like characters designate like'parts, the hand operated thread dispensing device of the present invention is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, as indicated generally at 10. As shown, the device in-. cludes an outercasing 11 having a cylindrical portion 12 and a frusto-conicalportion 13. The frusto-conical portion 13 terminates in' an axially disposed cylindrical portion 14 of reduced diameter with respect to the cylindrical portion 12. The portion 14 defines an inner cylindrical surface 15 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. The cylindricalportion 12 is provided with an enlarged sideopening 16 which will alsobe hereinafter more fully described. A closure member 17 is adapted for use in connection with the cylindrical portion 12 of the case 11, this cylindrical portion having a rear wall 18 and longitudinally extending flange .19. The rear wall 18 has an inwardly directed detent 20 formed therefrom. i

As shown primarily in Figs. 2 and 3, and in detail by itself in Fig. 6, an internally arranged thread dispensing assembly is provided and indicated generally at 21. The assembly 21 includes a spindle 22, that is disposed on the axis of the case 11 and extends substantially throughout the length of the cylindrical portion 12 of the case 11. One end of the spindle 22 is adapted for connection with an alignment and spindle supporting member 23 disposed transversely thereof and arranged in the case 11 at approximately the junction between the cylindrical portion 12 and the frusto-conical portion 13. The spindle 22 is secured to the supportingmember 23 as at. 24 and as by rolling or forming in a centrally disposed opening in the member23, The spindle 22 is hollow with a closed rear wall 25 that is adapted to bear against the detent 20 formed inwardly from the cover or cap member 17.

The supporting member 23 is provided with a longitudinally extending thread guide member 26 that is bent therefrom and extends over the approximate central area of the spindle 22. The thread guide member 26 is provided with an opening 27 adjacent the end thereof and a thread guide groove 28 at the junction between the member 26 and the supporting member 23.

A nozzle .30 is disposed in spaced relationship to the sup: porting member 23'and has a conical forward portion 31 and a substantially cylindrical rearward portion 32. The portion 32 is adapted for reception within the annular surface 15 formed in the cylindrical end 14 of the case 11. The nozzle 30 also may be provided with a knurled outer portion 33 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. The inner end of the nozzle 30 is provided with a bore 34 which communicates with a reduced diameter bore 35 that extends outwardly toward the tip of the nozzle 30. The outer end of the bore 35 is fitted with a thread guide insert 36.

The inner end of the nozzle 30 is held in spaced relationship with respect to the supporting member 23 as by a substantially 'U-shaped brace member 37 having side members 38 and a transverse portion 40. The transverse portion 40 is provided with an enlarged opening 41 that is adapted for reception of a reduced diameter portion 42 formed on the inner end of the nozzle 30.. The nozzle 30 is rotatably supported in the opening 41 and retained therein as by a pressed-on ring 39 adapted to tightly fit over the reduced diameter portion 42 inwardly from the transverse, portion 40 of the brace 37. The brace side members 38 extend through rectangular openings 43 in an area adjacent the periphery of the supporting member 23. The members 38 are provided with rectangular openings 44 that are adapted for cooperation with the openings 43 and the material in the area 45 of the supporting plate 23 is adapted for deformation inwardly, thereby to deform one wall of the openings 43 into the openings 44 and retain the brace members 38 in position.

conical portion 50 on the end opposite from the conical portion47. An opening 51 is provided through the wall of the partially conical portion 50 to provide access means to the interior of the'thread tension member. One end of the tension member 46 has a tab 52 formed thereon,

the outer end of which is'deformed into a reduced diameter conical portion 53 that has laterally extending tabs 54 which are adapted to bear against a rearward end of the member 46. The portion 53 is adapted for cooperation with the inner open end of the spindle 22, thereby providing a rotary pivotal guide for the inner end of the tension member 46. The other end of the tension member 46 is bent upwardly, as at 55, and has a semicircular portion 56 formed axially thereon. The semicircular portion 56 has laterally extending tabs 57 that are adapted for cooperation with slots 58 formed in the reduced diameter portion 42 of the inner end of the nozzle 30. The semi-circular portion 56 is adapted for cooperation with the wall of the bore 34 in the inner end of the nozzle, thereby providing a central guide for the tension member 46 in order to maintain the axial disposition thereof with respect to the nozzle 30 and spin dle 22. It is to be noted that the device is assembled by placing the tension member 46 in position intermediate the spindle 22 and nozzle 30 and then disposing the side members 38 of the brace 37 in position within the openings 43 and locking these side members in place. The tension member 46 thus is maintained in slight axial compression in order frictionally to engage the conical portion 53 with the inner open end of the spindle 22.

In assembly within the case 11, it is to be noted that the supporting member 23 has the major portion of its periphery in contact with the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 12 of the case 11 in order to maintain the axial disposition of the spindle 22 and mechanism supported therefrom. It is also to be noted that the junction points between the side members 38 and transverse portion 40 of the brace 37 are in contact with the inner 7 thread T.

4 drawing the end of the thread T with it and outwardly through the central opening in the nozzle 30. The insert ,36 in the outer end of the nozzle 30 serves to prevent wear upon the material of the nozzle 30 as thread is dispensed therefrom and may be made from any suitable material of substantially harder structure than that of the nozzle 30. As the thread is drawn outwardly through the nozzle St), the thread will overlie the thread guide member 26 and extend through the groove 28 formed therein.

is shown primarily in Figs. 2 and 3, after threading of the unit 21, this unit is placed in the case 11 and retained therein as hereinbefore described and the cover 17 is positioned over the end of the cylindrical portion 12 of the case 11. In order to establish desired tens-ion on the thread T, it is now only necessary to rotate the nozzle 36, thereby rotating the thread tension member 46 with respect to the case and with respect to the supporting member 23 and thread guide 26, thereby to wrap the thread T about the conical portions and central area 48 of the thread tension member 46. The number of turns of the nozzle 30 and thread tension member 46 is dependent upon the desired tension required for the In most instances, one to two turns of the nozzle 30 will be suflicient to establish the desired tension on the thread.

Through use of the enlarged opening 16 in the cylindrical portion 12 of the case 11, it is possible to insert the thumb or other finger in order to rewind the thread back onto the spool S in order not to waste the thread,

, of the tension member 46 permits the thread to be pulled various turns of the thread from overlying one another,

wall of the frusto-conical portion 13 of the case 11 and t that the outer cylindrical surface of the nozzle 30 is frictionally received within the opening 15. With this ar rangement, the nozzle 36 may be rotated in the other direction also to rotate the thread tension member 46 about its axis. The rotation of the nozzle 30 and thread tension member 46 is with respect to the brace member 37 andsupporting member 23 in addition to the spindle 22.

In threading the device of the present invention, a spool of thread, indicated generally at S, is disposed about the spindle 22 in the manner shown in Fig. 6. A'length of thread, indicated at T, is run from the spool S and through the opening 27 in the rearward end of the thread guide member 26.. ,A needle, as shown in Fig. 8 and comprising an elongated loop portion fixed together as by a handle member 61, is inserted inwardly through thebore 35' until the loop portion 60 thereof overlies the opening 51in the thread tension member 46. The nozzle 3!} is thereafter rotated untilthe opening 51 in the tension member 46 lies on the same side of the device as the thread guide member 26. The thread T thereafter is run through the .opening 51 and into the loop 60,01. the needle. The needle is thereafter withdrawn,

thus to create a situation that may cause breakage of the thread.

It is to be noted that, due to the nature of the construction of the present hand operated thread dispensing device, and to the frusto-conical portion of the case 11 taken in connection with the conical portion 31 of the nozzle 30, that the device of the present invention may be placed in any desired position close to a fishing fly, indicated at F in Fig. 1, or any other device about which thread may be wound. No obstructions exist as to complete vision of the device being wound in order that an accurate winding operation may be accomplished. Additionally, it is to be noted that the device is of such a size as to fit easily within a hand and to be handled easily thereby with the various mechanism having construction features and details enabling use of relatively small components commensurate with the end use thereof. Further, it is to be noted that the various components of the device have been held to a minimum and have been made in such a manner as to combine various functions in an eifort to reduce the manufacturing costs and sales price of the device.

As compared with prior like devices the present arrangement lends itself to easy and efficient threading thereof, the construction being such as to enable full expansion of the loop 60 of the threading needle after passage through the nozzle bore 35 and into the enlarged bore 34. The construction is such as to permit such expansion of ,the needle loop through utilization of a minimum of distance between the spool S and the dispensing nozzle. .Upon expansion of the loop 60 the thread T may easily be inserted through the opening 51 in the tension member 4 6 and into the open loop thereafter to be drawn through the bore 35 of the nozzle.

Having thus described the invention and the present embodiment thereof, it is desired to emphasize the fact that many modifications may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A manually operable thread dispensing device comprising: a case; a spindle; means for supporting said spindle axially in one end of said case; a thread guide carried by said supporting means; a nozzle disposed for manual rotation axially in the other end of said case; a substantially hyperboloidal shaped thread tension member disposed axially between said nozzle and said spindle, said tension member being connected with said nozzle and rotatable therewith; and means for retaining said tension member in contact with said spindle, said spindle being adapted for freely rotatable reception of a spool of thread thereon, thread from said spool being adapted for passage first along said guide, next about said tension member for a number of turns proportionate to desired tension on said thread and then outwardly through said nozzle.

2. A manually operable thread dispensing device comprising: a case; a spindle; means for supporting said spindle axially against rotation in one end of said case; a thread guide carried by said supporting means; a nozzle disposed for manual rotation axially in the other end of said case; an adjustable substantially hyperboloidal shaped thread tension member disposed axially between said nozzle and said spindle, said tension member being connected with said nozzle and rotatable therewith; and means for frictionally retaining said tension member in contact with said spindle, said spindle being adapted for freely rotatable reception of a spool of thread thereon, thread from said spool being adapted for passage first along said guide, next about said tension member for a number of turns proportionate to desired tension on said thread and then outwardly through said nozzle.

3. A manually operable thread dispensing device comprising: a case; a spindle; means for supporting said spindle axially against rotation in one end of said case; a thread guide carried by said supporting means; a nozzle disposed for manual rotation axially in the other end of said case; an adjustable substantially hyperboloidal shaped thread tension member disposed axially between said nozzle and said spindle, said tension member being connected with said nozzle and rotatable therewith; alignment means carried by said tension member; and means for frictionally retaining said alignment means in contact with said spindle, said spindle being adapted for freely rotatable reception of a spool of thread thereon, thread from said spool being adapted for passage first along said guide, next about said tension member for a number of turns proportionate to desired tension on said thread and then outwardly through said nozzle.

4, In a manually operable thread holding and dispensing device, the combination of: a case having integral cylindrical and frusto-conical portions; a hollow spindle disposed axially in said cylindrical portion; an alignment and spindle supporting member disposed on one end of said spindle and adapted for engagement with an inner surface of said case; a thread guide formed from a peripheral portion of said alignment member and extending over said spindle; a nozzle frictionally disposed in the open end of said frusto-conical portion; an adjustable substantially hyperboloidal shaped hollow thread tension member disposed axially between said nozzle and said one end of said spindle, said tension member being connected with said nozzle and rotatable therewith; pivot means carried by said tension member and adapted for cooperation with said spindle; brace means for maintaining said pivot means in contact with said spindle, said brace means pivotally receiving an inner end of said nozzle; an opening through a Wall of said tension member for providing a passage between the exterior and interior thereof, said spindle being adapted for freely rotatable reception of a spool of thread thereon, thread from said spool being adapted for passage first along said guide, next about said tension member for a number of turns proportionate to desired tension on said thread, then through said opening and thereafter outwardly through said nozzle; and means for rotatably guiding another end of said spindle and retaining said spool on said spindle.

5. In a manually operable thread holding and dispensing device, the combination of: a case having integral cylindrical and frusto-conical portions; a hollow spindle disposed axially in said cylindrical portion; an alignment and spindle supporting member disposed on one end of said spindle and adapted for engagement with an inner surface of said case; a thread guide formed from a peripheral portion of said alignment member and extending over said spindle; an opening in a free end of said thread guide; a nozzle frictionally disposed in the open end of said frusto-conical portion; an adjustable substantially hyperboloidal shaped hollow thread tension member disposed axially between said nozzle and said one end of said spindle, said tension member being connected with said nozzle and rotatable therewith; pivot means carried by said tension member and adapted for cooperation with said spindle; brace means for maintaining said pivot means in contact with said spindle, said brace means pivotally receiving an inner end of said nozzle; an opening through a wall of said tension member for providing a passage between the exterior and interior thereof, said spindle being adapted for freely rotatable reception of a spool of thread thereon, thread from said spool being adapted for passage first through said opening in and along said guide, next about said tension member for a number of turns proportionate to desired tension on said thread, then through said opening in said tension member and thereafter outwardly through said nozzle; and means for rotatably guiding another end of said spindle and retaining said spool on said spindle.

6. In a manually operable thread holding and dispensing device, the combination of: a case having integral cylindrical and frusto-conical portions; a hollow spindle disposed axially in said cylindrical portion; an alignment and spindle supporting member disposed on one end of said spindle and adapted for engagement with an inner surface of said case; a thread guide formed from a peripheral portion of said alignment member and extending over said spindle; an opening in a free end of said thread guide; a conical nozzle frictionally disposed in the open end of said frusto-conical portion; an insert in the outer end of said nozzle; an adjustable substantially hyperboloidal shaped hollow thread tension member disposed axially between said nozzle and said one end of said spindle, said tension member being connected with said nozzle and rotatable therewith; pivot means carried by said tension member and adapted for cooperation with said spindle; brace means for maintaining said pivot means in contact with said spindle, said brace means pivotally receiving an inner end of said nozzle; an opening through a wall of said tension member for providing a passage between the exterior and interior thereof, said spindle being adapted for freely rotatable reception of a spool of thread thereon, thread from said spool being adapted for passage first through said opening in and along said guide, next about said tension member for a number of turns proportionate to desired tension on said thread, then through said opening in said tension member and thereafter outwardly through said nozzle; and means for rotatably guiding another end of said spindle and retaining said spool on said spindle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 31,960 De Forest Apr. 9, 1861 500,778 Sampson July 4, 1893 FOREIGN PATENTS 443,604 France July 19, 1912 

